'Make Appointments, as I Gave You Orders'

Paul told his coworker Titus:  "For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might correct the things that were defective and might make appointments of older men in city after city, as I gave you orders."  (Titus 1:5)  Paul then outlined the qualifications that Titus was to look for in men who would qualify for such appointments.  Today, therefore, the Governing Body appoints qualified brothers at the branches to represent it in making appointments  of  elders and ministerial servants. Care is taken that those acting representatively on behalf of the Governing Body clearly understand and follow Scriptural guidelines for making such appointments.  Hence, it is under the direction of the Governing Body that qualified men are appointed to serve in the congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide.

When recommendations for appointment of overseers and ministerial servants are submitted to a branch office of the Watch Tower Society, experienced men rely on God's spirit for guidance in making the appointments.  These men feel a sense of accountability, realizing that they must not lay their hands hastily upon any man, lest they share in his sins. -1 Timothy 5:22.

Certain appointments may be transmitted by a letter bearing an official stamp from a legal entity.  Such a letter may be used to appoint more than one brother in the congregation.

Theocratic appointments come from Jehovah through his Son and God's visible earthly channel,  "the faithful and discreet slave" and its Governing Body.  (Matthew 24:45-47)  The whole process of such recommendation and appointment is directed, or guided by holy spirit.  This is the case because the qualifications are set out in God's Word, which is inspired by holy spirit, and the individual appointed gives evidence of producing the fruitage of that spirit.  Therefore, the appointments are to be viewed as being made by holy spirit.  Just as overseers and ministerial servants were appointed theocratically in the first century, the same is true today. 

Next time: Grateful for Jehovah's Guidance

The Watchtower, 2001